Infant sling

Abstract

The present invention is directed to an adjustable sling for the carrying and transport of an infant, with features that impart improved safety, comfort and support for the infant. The adjustable sling has a sling body with an interior compartment for carrying the infant, and also has an adjustable shoulder strap that is extensible about a wearer's shoulder, with first and second opposing ends that are attached to the sling body. An adjustable lumbar belt is attached to the sling body and extensible about the wearer. In one embodiment, the sling has a retention flap that is attached to the sling body and retains the infant being carried by the sling to enhance the safety and security of the sling. In another embodiment, the sling has at least one support insert to support at least one of the infant's head and neck while the infant is carried in the interior compartment.

1 . An adjustable sling for carrying an infant, the sling comprising:
 (a) a sling body defining an interior compartment for carrying the infant;   (b) a retention flap attached to the sling body to retain the infant being carried in the compartment;   (c) an adjustable shoulder strap extensible about a wearer's shoulder and comprising first and second opposing ends attached to the sling body; and   (d) an adjustable lumbar belt attached to the sling body and extensible about the wearer.   
   
   
       2 . The adjustable sling of  claim 1 , wherein the sling body comprises an elongate bottom panel and surrounding side panels that define the interior compartment therebetween, and wherein the retention flap is attached to the bottom panel. 
   
   
       3 . The adjustable sling of  claim 1 , wherein the retention flap comprises a generally T-shaped flap having:
 an elongate lower segment configured to pass between the legs of an infant being carried in the sling, the elongate lower segment comprising a proximal end attached to the sling body and a distal end; and   a transverse band segment at the distal end of the elongate lower segment that is configured to extend transversely across at least a portion of the infant's body, the transverse band segment being attachable to the sling body to retain the infant in the compartment.   
   
   
       4 . The adjustable sling of  claim 3 , wherein the transverse band segment comprises a retention belt sleeve, and wherein the sling further comprises:
 an adjustable retention belt configured to extend through the retention belt sleeve, the adjustable retention belt having first and second opposing ends configured to be attachable to the sling body.   
   
   
       5 . The adjustable sling of  claim 1  wherein the sling body comprises at least one support insert configured to provide support to at least one of the infant's head and neck while being carried in the interior compartment. 
   
   
       6 . The adjustable sling of  claim 5  wherein the sling body comprises a plurality of support inserts including:
 a neck support bolster configured to maintain a position of the infant's neck in relation to the head of the infant;   a head support insert configured to at least partially conform to a periphery of the infant's head to maintain a position thereof; and   body support bolsters configured to support opposing sides of the infant's body.   
   
   
       7 . The adjustable sling of  claim 1  wherein the sling body comprises a pair of belt loops on opposing exterior surfaces thereof, the belt loops each being configured to pass the lumbar belt therethrough to connect the lumbar belt to the sling body. 
   
   
       8 . An adjustable sling for carrying an infant, the sling comprising:
 (a) a sling body defining an interior compartment for carrying the infant, the sling body comprising at least one support insert configured to support at least one of the infant's head and neck while the infant is carried in the interior compartment;   (b) an adjustable shoulder strap extensible about a wearer's shoulder and comprising first and second opposing ends attached to the sling body; and   (c) an adjustable lumbar belt attached to the sling body and extensible about the wearer.   
   
   
       9 . The adjustable sling of  claim 8  wherein the support insert comprises a neck support bolster configured to maintain a position of the infant's neck in relation to the head of the infant. 
   
   
       10 . The adjustable sling of  claim 9  wherein the neck support bolster is configured to maintain the infant's head in a substantially neutral position relative to the infant's spine. 
   
   
       11 . The adjustable sling of  claim 9  wherein the neck support bolster is anatomically shaped and positioned to allow the infant's shoulder blades rest thereon while being carried in the interior compartment. 
   
   
       12 . The adjustable sling of  claim 9  wherein sling body comprises an elongate bottom panel having a head support region configured to support the infant's head and a body support region to support the infant's body, wherein the neck support bolster is positioned adjacent the head support region on the elongate bottom panel. 
   
   
       13 . The adjustable sling of  claim 12  wherein a top surface of the neck support bolster is elevated above a surface upon which the infant's head rests in the head support region of the elongate bottom panel. 
   
   
       14 . The adjustable sling of  claim 12  wherein the neck support bolster comprises an at least semi-cylindrically shaped cushion that extends laterally across the elongate bottom panel between first and second opposing sides thereof. 
   
   
       15 . The adjustable sling of  claim 9 , further comprising a head support insert that at least partially conforms to a periphery of the infant's head to maintain a position thereof. 
   
   
       16 . The adjustable sling of  claim 15  wherein the head support insert comprises a U-shaped body of cushioning material positioned at an upper end of the elongate bottom panel. 
   
   
       17 . The adjustable sling of  claim 15 , further comprising body support bolsters disposed on opposing sides of the elongate bottom panel in the body support region. 
   
   
       18 . The adjustable sling of  claim 17 , wherein at least one of the head support insert and body support bolster are detachable from the sling body. 
   
   
       19 . The adjustable sling according to  claim 8  wherein the support insert comprises a layer of cushioning material having a rounded periphery, the support insert defining a central cutout therein that comprises at least one of an ovate, circular, and elliptical shape. 
   
   
       20 . The adjustable sling according to  claim 8  further comprising a retention flap attached to the sling body to retain the infant being carried in said compartment.